The frail, elderly woman did not preach an in-your-face gospel message. She wasn’t condemning people for their choices, beliefs, attitudes or words. But, she was sharing God’s word in a way that truly reminded Christians of what they possess, and enticed others to learn more about God and Jesus.

Prosperity without pain. It sounds wonderful. But many people forget the painful, often arduous little steps along the way that prepared the recipient to receive prosperity. The test for significance always comes through our response to the insignificant matters put before us.

The most difficult part about “it” is my relentlessness in trying to find a cause or a trigger and never succeeding. It just adds to the “feeling of failure” that often underlies it all. Which, of course, keeps the spiral alive.

Many people of faith wish the ability to discern God’s plan for their lives was as simple as visiting www.plan.god, entering a name and birthdate, and then sit back as the perfect plan unfolds on the screen. But, life isn’t that simple.

It is critically important that we watch our thoughts. What we allow into our minds and, more importantly, what we allow ourselves to dwell upon, has a major impact on our actions today and our ultimate destiny. Everything we do flows from the heart.

Anger will often rip apart, cause division and regret. Words said in anger may cut so deeply the wound never completely heals. Yet, love heals and binds. It brings sunshine to a darkened heart. Words spoken in love at just the right time can alter someone’s destiny.

(Nov. 24, 2018) — All of us love David and Goliath stories of ordinary people overcoming significant obstacles. However, there are some important lessons here as they pertain to any battles we face, be it a stubborn sin problem, an illness, massive debt, childhood trauma or an unhealthy relationship.

(Nov. 17, 2018) — If the path is unclear and the task appears overwhelming or even impossible; yet, you know in your heart it is something you need to do – and it aligns with God’s will – then take that first step. Show God you are serious and you desire to carry out his will.

(Nov. 7, 2018) — Devotionals are wonderful tools for helping to understand a passage or two of scripture. People who write good devotionals generally have keen insight and a unique way to apply the passage to everyday life. However, I don’t think devotionals can be considered genuine Bible “study” because no study is really involved.

(Oct. 28, 2018) — Much of the problem with men is that they are exhausted – emotionally and physically – because they really don’t know what is expected of them. The bars of achievement are routinely raised like he’s an Olympic pole-vaulter and the goal posts defining success are pushed further and further back. Deep inside, men know that whatever they are doing, it isn’t enough.

(Oct. 20, 2018) — If we only hang around others who look like us, talk like us and think like us, how is anything other than “group think” likely to happen? In Luke 6:39, Jesus asked, “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?”

(Oct. 13, 2018) — In the Old Testament, the process people had to go through to atone for their own sins was pretty remarkable considering all the burnt offerings, grain offerings, fellowship offerings, sin offerings, guilt offerings, wave offerings, food offerings, and drink offerings. Compared to Old Testament reverence, today we worship our work, work at our play, and play at our worship.

(Oct. 6, 2018) — It is a decision you alone must make. Even if you scoffed at Jesus (like I did), made fun of Christians (like I did), and ran away from his church (like I did), he still wants a relationship with you. He’ll forgive you of those mistakes because Jesus knows that if you spend time with him, you’ll come to know the real Jesus and to genuinely love him.

(Sept. 22, 2018) — In the past few months, I’ve taken a whole new approach to Facebook. When you view it as an online community just as vibrant and diverse as the one you live in, Facebook is quite a mission field. Almost every day, I have found at least one person who seems to need encouragement and hope.

(Sept.15, 2018) — It is hard for me to describe what it is like to have a peace that transcends all understanding, but there have been a few moments in the past few years where I really don’t have an explanation for the peace I felt in difficult situations.

(Sept.8, 2010) — In Revelation 3:1b-3 Jesus has a warning for the church in Sardis, but it might as well have been a warning specifically for me. I made it into bed just fine an hour earlier. But when I stepped out, I began experiencing the signs of stroke as I lost function in my entire right side. It was a vivid reminder of how Jesus can come like a thief when we least expect it.

(Aug. 4, 2018) — There is a commodity that is far more valuable than money, and that is time. It can never be saved or replaced, but it can be wasted, lost, spent or invested. We all have exactly 525,600 minutes available to us every year. Could you invest 144 minutes a day – or just under 17 hours a week – in pursuit of things that matter to God?

(Nov. 29, 2017) — Those in attendance at today’s RVI Leadership Prayer Breakfast, held from 7-8:30 a.m. in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, heard from Davey Blackburn, who told attendees that nothing is wasted. God brings triumph even in our tragedies.